Environmental outlets for dogs are essential to promote healthy behavior and to avoid/reduce the occurrence of behavior problems.

Here we discuss some basic enrichment tools that engage the dog’s senses of touch and taste. Chew toys are important for both puppies and adult dogs. Providing all dogs with good “chew” habits early on will help prevent chewing on unacceptable objects. Food toys provide an oral outlet along with mental stimulation while the dog works for his meals.

KONG® TOYSKong® toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are easy to stuff. When starting dogs out on these toys, make it fairly easy for them to get their food reward by filling the toy with kibble and topping it with wet food. As the dog gets the concept of the Kong®, make it harder to remove the food by mixing the wet and dry food together and then stuffing the Kong®. Eventually, you can stuff the Kong® and freeze it, making the food treat last for several minutes. For puppies, freezing the toy also feels nice on teething gums.

Make your Own!Substitute the Kong® toy with an old marrow bone. Stuff it in the same way as you would a Kong® and freeze it for a fun treat.

TUG-A-JUGTMPremiere® makes a number of different food toys, but the Tug-a-JugTM is an Animal Farm Foundation favorite. Fill it with kibble or treats and watch your pup pull on the tug toy to get his meal out of the jug! Other great toys from Premiere® include Kibble NibbleTM, Bouncy BoneTM and many of the other products in the Busy Buddy® line.

Make your Own!Take a juice bottle with a wide mouth and drill a hole into the bottom of it for your tug toy. Use the capped end to fill it with kibble and treats.

LINKABLESTMAnother great product from Premiere® that is a very good toy for mental stimulation as the dog never knows which hold will deliver the treat. You can change the shape and use as many or as few pieces as you like, so the toy is constantly different and changing, keeping the dog interested longer.

Make your Own!Go to the plumbing section of a hardware store and get PVC pipe. Make sure you purchase some elbow joints and ends. Put them together in different shapes, capping the end and drilling some holes in the sides where treats are able to fit through. This is a nice rugged toy that will last a lifetime!

KOOL DOGZ ICE TREAT MAKERTMThe Kool Dogz Ice Treat MakerTM comes with some toys to freeze as well as a recipe and instructions on how to create the perfect treat to keep the dog busy and interested for hours. This is not only a great form of enrichment but is especially useful on a hot day, providing your pooch with relief from the heat. Fill this treat with both food and toys and other chews, which will provide endless entertainment as your dog uncovers each surprise and frees it from the ice.

Make your Own!Use a water bucker or whatever you have that you can fill and freeze. Line the bucket with wet food, peanut butter, or ever cream cheese – whatever will get the dog interested in licking the ice and beginning to uncover the other treats. Put kibble, treats and your dog’s favorite toys in the bucket and add a chain, rope or cord for easy hanging. Stick it in the freezer overnight, then remove, hang and watch your dog enjoy his new treat!

You will discover most dogs enjoy working for their food. Using different types of toys will keep the dog’s mind engaged. There are many more toys on the market than are listed here, and all can be creatively replicated at home with some imagination and limited, inexpensive supplies.